As Australia celebrates International Dog Day, a fascinating truth emerges from the property market: our beloved canine companions are not just part of the family; they’re increasingly influencing where and how we choose to live.
This dog obsession has even gone viral, with some Australian pooches boasting more social media followers than their human counterparts, showcasing the profound connection we share. The latest figures reveal that dogs are unequivocally Australia’s favourite pet, gracing nearly half of all households (48 per cent) and totalling approximately 6.4 million pet dogs nationwide.
This translates to roughly one dog for every five Australians, a ratio that remains remarkably consistent across states and regions.
But delve deeper, and you’ll uncover how this national obsession is carving out unique real estate trends, from bustling inner-city apartments to sprawling regional havens.
While two-thirds of Australia’s dogs reside in major cities, mirroring human population distribution, the remaining third call regional areas home, showcasing surprising patterns that savvy property investors and homeowners should note.
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Source: Ray White
Source: Ray White
The Canine compass: State-by-state property insights
Queensland: The regional dog haven
Queensland stands out with a distinct regional focus, as more than half (52 per cent) of its dogs live outside major cities.
This trend is largely driven by the Gold Coast, where high dog ownership aligns with a lifestyle that embraces larger, more affordable properties and extensive beach access.
Suburbs like Pimpama – with a median house price of $970,000 top the state’s list, closely followed by Southport ($1.16m) and Coomera ($991,000).
Upper Coomera ($947,000) and Cleveland ($1.28m) also feature prominently, with Cleveland being the first non-Gold Coast suburb to make the cut.
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s dog-loving residents gravitate towards established inner-south suburbs such as Morningside ($1.56m) and Moorooka ($1.24m), drawn by their riverside parks and suburban space.
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Kiba and Mochi are RSPCA ambassadors in Queensland and have over 13k followers. Source: @kiba.mochi
Victoria: Melbourne’s urban canine concentration
In stark contrast, Victoria exhibits the opposite extreme, with three-quarters (76 per cent) of its dogs concentrated in Melbourne.
Intriguingly, the Melbourne CBD ties with suburban Berwick – which has a median property price of $911,000 – as the most popular suburb for dog owners, demonstrating that high-density apartment living is no barrier to canine companionship.
Further afield, Point Cook ($833,000) and Pakenham ($686,000) represent growth corridors offering new families larger, more affordable properties with ample space for pets.
Meanwhile, affluent, established suburbs like South Yarra ($1.87m) and Glen Iris ($2.63m) continue to appeal to dog owners seeking a prestigious lifestyle where their pets are a natural complement.
It’s not just John Cena who things Melbourne has the best lattes in Australia –Eddie and his 46.7k Instagram followers think so, too. Source: @eddiethechihuahua
New South Wales: Inner-city pooches lead the pack
New South Wales presents the most balanced distribution, closely mirroring the national average with two-thirds of dogs living in Sydney.
Here, inner-city suburbs surprisingly dominate the rankings, proving that high-density living hasn’t deterred dog lovers.
Rosebery – with a median property price of $2.25m – leads Sydney’s inner suburbs, followed by Alexandria ($2.07m), North Sydney ($3.63m), and Marrickville ($2.08m).
Coastal Maroubra ($3.2m) shares the top spot with Rosebery for highest pet ownership in Sydney.
Macquarie Park’s popularity is also notable, offering a unique blend of high-density apartment living with convenient access to the sprawling Lane Cove National Park.
Jasper and his brother Luka are official UNSW dogs and share over 24.3k followers on Instagram. Source: jasper.samoyed
South Australia: Family-oriented communities reign
South Australia’s dog-loving suburbs clearly reflect a preference for family-oriented communities where dogs have room to roam.
Three of the state’s top five suburbs for dog ownership are located in the Adelaide Hills and outer growth areas: Woodcroft, Mount Barker ($799,000), and Aberfoyle Park ($863,000). These areas offer larger properties and more affordable prices, making them ideal for families with dogs.
Prospect, with a median property price of $1.27m stands out as the sole inner-city representative, while Henley Beach commands a significant premium ($1.48m) for its coveted beachside lifestyle.
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Susanne Nicholls, owner of insta famous Squid the Griff at their Adelaide home. Squid and his sister Pretzel have over 351k insta followers. Source: @squidthegriff
Western Australia: Coastal canine dreams
Western Australia boasts the highest concentration of coastal suburbs among its top five dog-owning areas, with four embracing beachside living: Scarborough ($1.33m), Baldivis ($770,000), Waikiki ($747,000), and Port Kennedy ($759,000).
The Rockingham area, encompassing Baldivis, Waikiki, and Port Kennedy, is particularly popular, offering expanding suburban communities with pet-friendly housing and beach access without the inner-city price premiums.
For those seeking heritage charm and urban amenities, Mount Lawley ($1.52m) and Fremantle ($1.48m) remain strong contenders, while Rivervale ($907,000) caters to inner-city living.
Bartholomeu the Pug is a hit with his 25.8k followers in Perth and beyond. Source: bartho_the_pug
The Unifying Factor: A commitment to canine comfort
Australia’s most popular dog-owning suburbs reveal a remarkable diversity in environments, from Melbourne’s bustling CBD to Queensland’s coastal havens and South Australia’s spacious hill suburbs.
What truly unites these communities isn’t geography or housing type, but rather a shared commitment to making space for pets.
Whether it’s apartment balconies, suburban backyards, or beachside walks, Australians are finding innovative ways to accommodate their beloved dogs.
The data unequivocally demonstrates that our four-legged friends are not just pets; they’re powerful drivers in our property decisions, proving that Australians will always find a way to make a home for their furry family members, no matter where they choose to live.
Looking for Australian Dog influencers? Here are a few more…
Charlie, Frankie and Sonny
Charlie, Frankie and Sonny from Queensland are three cocker spaniels who have amassed over 159k Instagram followers. Source: threegoldenbears_
The three cocker spaniels from Queensland have amassed over 159k Instagram followers. You can follow them at Source: threegoldenbears_
Mash and Chilli
Mash and Chilli, two Westies from Port Melbourne have over 24.3k Instagram followers. Source: @mash_and_chilli
The two Westies from Port Melbourne have over 24.3k Instagram followers. You can follow them at @mash_and_chilli
Morty and Rick
Source: @morty_thepug
Morty and Rick are a pug and frenchie duo from Adelaide. Together they have 28.9k Instagram followers – many of which are (no doubt) Crows followers, too. You can follow them at @morty_thepug
Kylo and Vader
Source: @kylo_and_vader
The two golden retriever brothers from Peth love to cuddle and have close to 94k followers on Instagram. You can follow them at @kylo_and_vader
Oliver and Winky
Source: @itswoofs
The two oodle siblings from Melbourne have over 164k Instagram followers. You can follow them at @itswoofs
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